We live in a world today where the boundaries of metal music have expanded so much (along with the number of metal bands!) that there are far more bands to listen to than to ever make it possible to hear them all. Yes, this gives variety to our world of metal, but at the same time it causes many innovative and talented bands to slip by unnoticed by the majority. This is unfortunately the case with our Finnish friends Throes of Dawn, and particularly with their fifth release, "Quicksilver Clouds." Why is this so unfortunate? Well... I believe in short and bold statements, so I'll be blunt: "Quicksilver Clouds" is hands down among the top albums of 2004. "But Italics, 2004? C'mon... Wintersun, Angra, Ayreon..." Yes. Let me explain...